READINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE

HISTORY: Middle Term Module

Module 5 (3 hours)
Title: The Political Cartoons
Introduction:

This lesson is properly interpret the political cartoon which is a cartoon that makes a
point about a political issue or event and the caricatures that is a satirical, exaggerated
portrayal of person. That paves the way to understand the situation of politics and of the
society in American period.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the topic, you are expected to:

1. interpret properly the selected Political Cartoons: Political Caricature of the
American
Era 1900 – 1941 through examining the content and context of the documents, and
2. analyze the context behind each selected Political Cartoons and Caricature.

Learning Content:

Such accounts in Philippine History need to be understand the politics and society and
understood not only through text but also cartoons or caricatures. Political cartoons and
caricature are a rather recent art form, which veered away from the classical art by
exaggerating human features and poking funs at its subjects. This is a graphic with
caricatures of public figures, expressing opinions in every significant event in our history.
This is a combination of artistic skill, hyperbole and satire in order to question authority and
draw attention to corruption, political violence and other social ills that is worthy of historical
examination.

In his book Philippine Cartoons: Political Caricature of the American Era (1900-
1941). Alfred McCoy, together with Alfred Roces, compiled political cartoons published in
newspaper dailies and periodicals in the aforementioned time period. For this part, we are
going to look at selected cartoons and explain the context of each one.
  Born June 8, 1945
 Professor of History at the
University of Wisconsin who
specializes in S.E. Asia
 Graduated from the Kent School in
1964; earned his B.A. from
Columbia College and his Ph.D. in
Southeast Asian history from Yale
University in 1977
 In 2001, was awarded the Grant
Alfred McCoy Goodman Prize for his career
(Author/Creator) contributions to the study of the
Philippines by the Association for
Asian Studies
 In October 2012, was awarded
the Wilbur Lucius Cross Medall by
Yale University's Graduate School
Alumni Association.

 Born on April 29, 1932 (Sta. Cruz,

Alfredo Roces
(Contributor/Book Designer)
Manila)
 Married Irene Pineda on May 24,
1958 and has three daughters
 A gifted artist-writer
 Author of "Felix Resurreccion
Hidalgo and the Generation of
1972“, the National Book Award-
winning title
 Lost his job in 1972 when Manila
Times closed down but begged off
jobs in Marcos’ papers
 Became editor-in-chief of the
Filipino Heritage, a ten-volume
study on Philippine History and
Culture until 1978
 Currently a freelance artist and
writer, Alfredo or Ding, as he is
fondly called, has been living in
Australia since 1977.
 The first example is the Manila: The Corruption of a City. If the nationalism was the
ideology of the Manila press, then the city was its reality. The editors, artists and writers all
lived and worked in Manila, and so expressed their frustrations with its discomforts and
decadence in some of the angriest cartoons of the American period (1899-1941). Costumes
and characters have changed in the half century since their publication, but Mania’s constant
urban problems – poverty, corruption and prostitution --- give these cartoons an almost
timeless quality.

This second cartoons is situated at the Distant Provinces that the provinces began at
Manila door’s step, but for the city press they were a world apart.
 The third example is the Colonial Condition: that for Sophisticated Filipino
nationalist, colonialism was not a simple matter of who occupied the executive offices in
Malacanang Palace. They saw colonialism as a pervasive condition that had penetrated the
whole of their social fabric – influencing their culture, politics, economy, and class relations.

The fourth example is the situation of Uncle Sam and Little Juan: During the decades
of U.S. colonial rule. Uncle Sam underwent a striking transformation in the pages of the
Philippines press. In the early years when Filipino nationalism was at its height, Uncle Sam
often appeared crafty and predatory in his relationship with the virginal maiden. Filipinos,
During the Harisson administration, however, Uncle Sam metamorphized into a wise, kindly
looking man with a paternalistic concern for the boyish figure of Juan de la Cruz, who had
largely supplanted the maiden Filipinas as the nation’s symbol. These images are thus a
cameo of changing Filipino attitudes towards America and Americans.

The transition from the Spanish Colonial period to the American Occupation period
demonstrated different scenario of changes and shifts in culture, society, and politics. The
selected cartoons illustrate not only opinion of certain media outfits about the Philippine
society during the American period but also paint a broad image of society and politics under
the United States.

Process Questions:

Analysis of the given selected Political Caricatures during the American Period.
Identify the symbols in a cartoon; think about what the cartoonist intends each symbol to
stand for. Then, try to decide what point the cartoonist was trying to make through
exaggeration. Does the label make the meaning of the object more clear? After you’ve
studied a cartoon for a while, try to decide what the cartoon’s main analogy is. What two
situations does the cartoon compare? Once you understand the main analogy, decide if this
comparison makes the cartoonist’s point more clearly to you. If you can, think about what
point the irony might be intended to emphasize. Does the irony help the cartoonist express his
or her opinion more effectively?

Activity:

Essay. Answer the following questions:

1. What issue is this political cartoon about?

2. What is the cartoonist’s opinion on this issue?
3. What other opinion can you imagine another person having on this issue?
4. Did you find this cartoon persuasive? Why or why not?
5. What other techniques could the cartoonist have used to make this cartoon more
persuasive?
(http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/activities/
political-cartoon/cag.html)

Scoring Rubrics for Essay

Category Exemplary Superior Unsatisfactor

Satisfactory y
Knowledge/ Demonstrates Demonstrate Demonstrate Demonstrates
Comprehensio thorough s s limited
n 25% understanding considerable understandin understanding
of topic. understandin g of topic
g of the topic
of the topic.
Content Response Response Response Response is
25% indicates depth indicates lacks focus unclear,
& complexity of simplistic or or illogical or
thought in answering repetitive demonstrates incoherent.
the essay. thoughts in confused or
answering conflicting
the essay thinking.
question.
Quality of Response was Response Response Response had
Writing written in an was written had a little no style or
25% extraordinary style in an style or voice voice.
 & voice. interesting
style.
Gives some
Very information & Somewhat new Gives no new
well organized. informative information information &
& organized. but poorly very poorly
organized. organized.
Grammar, Almost no spelling, Few spelling A number of So many
Punctuation & punctuation or & spelling, spelling,
Spelling grammatical errors. punctuation punctuation punctuation &
25% errors, minor or grammatical
grammatical grammatical errors that it
errors. errors. interferes with
the meaning.
Sub Totals
100%

Over-all-
Score 100%

Further Readings and Resources

1. McCoy, A., & Roces, A. 1985. Philippine Cartoons: Political Caricature of the American
Era, 1900-1941. Quezon City: Vera – Reyes.
2. Philippines History, Government and Constitution book by Sonia Zaide.

Evaluation:
Name:__________________________________________Date:_______________________
Course&Year:___________________________________Score:_______________________

Caricature Objectives/People that Meaning of each Important Political or

Title you see symbol Clues Social Issues
(objects/people) presented
#1

#2
#3

#4

References:
Candelaria, et.al. 2018. Readings in the Philippine History. Rex Printing Company, Inc.
Manila, Philippines.
Ligan, et.al., 2018. Readings in the Philippine History. Mutya Publishing House, Inc.
Malabon City.
Torres, J. V., 2018. BATIS. Sources in Philippine History. Rex Printing Company, Inc
Module 6 (3 hours)
Title: Speech of Corazon C. Aquino before the US Congress
Introduction:

The lesson requires the students to critically examine the speech of the former President
Corazon C. Aquino in the US Congress. To closely examine the content and context of the
speech you may ask yourself: For whom is she referring to on some part of her speech? How
is her administration different from the Marcos’ administration? Despite of her efforts to be
opposite of Marcos administration, what are their similarities based on her speech? How did
she view Marcos’ administration? How did she describe democracy before her presidency?
Did she commit any biases against Marcos? Do you agree on her proposition to pay the debt
of a dictatorship? what is her analysis on the Martial Law era? etc.
Learning Outcome:
At the end of the topic, you are expected to:
1.To properly interpret the speech of Corazon C. Aquino delivered in the US Congress
through examining the content and context of the document.
Learning Content:
Corazon C. Aquino functioned as the symbol of the restoration of democracy and the
overthrow of the Marcos Dictatorship in 1896. The EDSA People Power revolution, which
installed Cory Aquino in the Presidency, put the Philippines in the international spotlight for
overthrowing a dictator through a special means (Candelaria, et.al., 2018).
When Former President Aquino gave her speech to the US Congress on September
1986, a little more than half a year after assuming the presidency, she called on America to
help the Philippines in preserving the freedom which the Filipinos have won for themselves.
Calling to, “restore democracy by the ways of democracy,” she aggrandized the role of
America in the world as the promoter of a righteous system of governance and further
strengthened the reputation of said country as a model for greatness (Rodrigo, 2018)
When former President Corazon Aquino spoke before a joint session of the United
States Congress in September of 1986, the dust was only beginning to settle. It was her
first visit to America since the dictator Ferdinand Marcos had been deposed in February of
the same year, and the Philippines was reckoning with everything his administration had
inflicted. That included $26 billion in total foreign debt, and a communist insurgency that
grew, throughout the Marcos era, from 500 armed guerillas to 16,000.

We were just at the start of a long road to recovery. So Aquino lodged an appeal for
help. Addressing the House, she delivered a historic speech that managed to sway in
our favor the vote for an emergency $200-million aid appropriation. In the moving
speech penned by her speechwriter (and our current ambassador to the United Nations)
Teddy Locsin, Jr., Aquino defended her reconciliatory stand on the communist insurgency—a
sensitive issue in the U.S., given that this was 1986—and asked for financial aid towards
rebuilding the Philippine economy. (Escobar, 2018)

Here is the speech of the former President Corazon C. Aquino:

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bavnuT4RlU
Transcript:https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1986/09/18/speech-of-president-corazon-
aquino-during-the-joint-session-of-the-u-s-congress-september-18-1986/
Process Questions:
1. For whom is she referring to on some part of her speech?
2. How is her administration different from the Marcos’ administration?
3. Despite of her efforts to be opposite of Marcos administration, what are their
similarities based on her speech?
4. How did she view Marcos’ administration?
5. How did she describe democracy before her presidency?
6. Did she commit any biases against Marcos?
7. Do you agree on her proposition to pay the debt of a dictatorship?
8. What is her analysis on the Martial Law era?

Activity: Essay.

What are the differences of dictatorship and democracy? In your own words and idea, which is
more effective in ruling or governing a country, dictatorship or democracy? Discuss
comprehensively with examples.

Further Readings and Resources

1. EDSA People Power Revolution (https://www.philippine-history.org/edsa-people-
power-revolution.htm)
2. The Fall of the Dictatorship (https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/featured/the-fall-of-
the-dictatorship/)
3. Declaration of the Martial Law
(https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/featured/declaration-of-martial-law/
Evaluation:
Create a reflection paper to Corazon C. Aquino’s Speech. You may accept or refute some
issues presented on the speech.
Scoring Rubric for Reflection Paper

Category Exemplary Superior Satisfactory Unsatisfactory

Depth 25% Response Response Response Response
demonstrates an demonstrates a demonstrates a demonstrates a
in-depth general reflection minimal lack of reflection
reflection on the on the concepts. reflection on the on the concepts/
concepts. Viewpoints and concepts. Viewpoints and
Viewpoints and interpretations are Viewpoints and interpretations are
interpretations are supported. interpretations are missing,
insightful and unsupported or
well supported. supported with inappropriate
flawed and/or
arguments. unsupported.
Structure 25% Writing is clear, Writing is mostly Writing is unclear Writing is unclear
concise, and well clear, concise, and and/or and disorganized.
organized with well organized disorganized. Thoughts ramble
excellent sentence with good Thoughts are not and make little
and paragraph sentence/paragraph expressed in a sense.
construction. construction. logical manner.

Thoughts are Thoughts are

fully expressed in expressed in a
coherent and coherent and
logical manner. logical manner.
Quality of Response was Response was Response had a Response had no
Writing 25% written in an written in an little style or style or voice.
extraordinary interesting style. voice.
style and voice.

Very Informative Somewhat Gives some new Gives no new

and well informative and information but information and
organized. organized. poorly organized. very poorly
organized.
Grammar, Almost no Few spelling and A number of So many spelling,
Punctuation and spelling, punctuations errors spelling, punctuation and
Spelling punctuation or and minor punctuation or grammatical
25% grammatical grammatical grammatical errors that
errors. errors. errors. interferes with the
meaning.
Sub Totals 100%
Over-all-Score
100%

References:
Candelaria, et.al. ,2018. Readings in the Philippine History. Rex Printing Company, Inc.
Manila, Philippines.
Ligan, et.al., 2018. Readings in the Philippine History. Mutya Publishing House, Inc.
Malabon City.
https://www.philippine-history.org/edsa-people-power-revolution.htm
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/featured/the-fall-of-the-dictatorship/
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/featured/declaration-of-martial-law/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bavnuT4RlU
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1986/09/18/speech-of-president-corazon-aquino-during-
the-joint-session-of-the-u-s-congress-september-18-1986/
https://soapboxie.com/world-politics/A-Reaction-on-Cory-Aquinos-speech-to-the-US-
Congress
 CHAPTER 3
One Past but Many Histories; Controversies and Conflicting
Views in Philippine History

Module 7: (3 hours)
Title: Retraction of Rizal
Introduction:
Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda also known as Jose Rizal, a National
Hero of the Philippines. He is well known on his patriotism, affirmation against his enemies
especially the Spaniards through his noble writings. He was accused and alleged committed
crimes such as rebellion, sedition and illegal association.
After a hundred of years, many of Filipino still debates on Rizal’s retraction letter. As
of today many of us still unaware about this controversy, it was debated and hotly discussed
many times. Some teachers didn’t tackle this topic and don’t sure what is the truth behind of
this. Many of them give and think that this is the most controversial timeline of his life. Some
of us insist that it’s forged by Spaniard or think that He is coward or even it is a real and
views that Rizal only wanted to repent and gave up his life to God before he died.
The said lesson help student’s understand and reflect every details of Rizal’s life for
them to realize the essence of walking in the highways even late at night without any fear to
be detained by Spanish colonials and/or the essence of putting their right hands into their left
chest while looking into the Philippine flag as well as singing its national anthem.
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this topic, you are expected to:
1. explain and discuss the effects of Rizal’s death and legacy; and
2. understand and dedicate oneself as a patriot for the sake of the motherland by
reflecting Rizal’s life.
Learning Content:
Presentation of Facts about Rizal’s Retraction
The retraction of Rizal is still one of the greatest historical issues of all time. The
story of the Retraction has been told and retold and has created tremendous ambiguities in
Philippine history on the credence of the national hero.

Did the national hero really retract his anti-Catholic ideas?

Will that retraction make him less of a hero?

Major arguments for the Retraction

1. Archivist Fr. Manuel Garcia, C.M. discovered the “original" text containing the so-
called retraction formula in the archdiocesan archives on May 18, 1935, thirty-nine
years after Rizal’s execution. This Retraction “Document” found was considered
imperative evidence to the Retraction, itself. The text appears to have been released
 to the press and published after the death of Rizal but the original document was not
produced until 1935 because it was believed that the documents were handed by Fr.
Balaguer to Fr. Pi and from Fr. Pi to Fr. Nozaleda in order to kept safely by his
secretary.

2. There were eyewitnesses closely associated with the events - According to Ricardo P.
Garcia’s “The Great Debate: The Rizal’s Retraction” there were two great
testimonies of eyewitnesses who were privy to what happened in Rizal’s cell from
early morning of December 29 to 6:30 am of December 30.

 Fr. Vicente Balaguer – According to him, Rizal woke up several times,

confessed four times, attended a Mass, received communion, and prayed the
rosary, all of which seemed inconsistent of his personality.
 Former Lieutenant of the Infantry- Mariano Martinez Gallegos – He
confirmed that Rizal did write a retraction piece and signed his signature on
it with Juan del Fresno and Eloy Moure as his witnesses. These two
witnesses also affixed their signatures on the said retraction document.

Newly released documents and new interpretations that may affirm his retraction:
1. The Cuerpo de Vigilancia.
2. What Rizal rote on the copy of "Imitations of Christ"?

3.

“At 7:50 yesterday morning, Jose Rizal entered death row accompanied by his counsel, Señor Taviel de Andrade, and the
Jesuit priest Vilaclara. At the urgings of the former and moments after entering, he was served a light breakfast. At
approximately 9, the Assistant of the Plaza, Señor Maure, asked Rizal if he wanted anything. He replied that at the
moment he only wanted a prayer book which was brought to him shortly by Father March.

“Señor Andrade left death row at 10 and Rizal spoke for a long while with the Jesuit fathers, March and Vilaclara,
Mentions about the "cross" in his final writings
Developmental Activity
Activity No. 1: Film Viewing

1. Watch the following:

Noli Me Tangere
El Filibusterismo
2. After, watching create a reflective paper through the following questions:
 What are the issues tackled in the videos you’ve watched?
 Do we need to study the Life, Works and Writings of Rizal? Yes/No? Why?
 How Rizal does influence the foundation of education in molding society?

Scoring Rubric for Reflection Paper

Category Exemplary Superior Satisfactory Unsatisfactory

Depth 25% Response Response Response Response
demonstrates an demonstrates a demonstrates a demonstrates a
in-depth general reflection minimal lack of reflection
reflection on the on the concepts. reflection on the on the concepts/
concepts. Viewpoints and concepts. Viewpoints and
Viewpoints and interpretations are Viewpoints and interpretations are
interpretations are supported. interpretations are missing,
insightful and unsupported or inappropriate
well supported. supported with and/or
flawed unsupported.
arguments.
Structure 25% Writing is clear, Writing is mostly Writing is unclear Writing is unclear
concise, and well clear, concise, and and/or and disorganized.
organized with well organized disorganized. Thoughts ramble
excellent sentence with good Thoughts are not and make little
and paragraph sentence/paragraph expressed in a sense.
construction. construction. logical manner.

Thoughts are Thoughts are

 fully expressed in expressed in a
coherent and coherent and
logical manner. logical manner.
Quality of Response was Response was Response had a Response had no
Writing 25% written in an written in an little style or style or voice.
extraordinary interesting style. voice.
style and voice.

Very Informative Somewhat Gives some new Gives no new

and well informative and information but information and
organized. organized. poorly organized. very poorly
organized.
Grammar, Almost no Few spelling and A number of So many spelling,
Punctuation and spelling, punctuations errors spelling, punctuation and
Spelling 25% punctuation or and minor punctuation or grammatical
grammatical grammatical grammatical errors that
errors. errors. errors. interferes with the
meaning.
Sub Totals
100%
Over-all-Score
100%

Teaching and Learning Activities:

Activity No. 3: Film Striping
The said retraction is written in Spanish and shows Rizal’s handwritten and his
signature. Create a film strip sharing your views and opinions about the last letter of
Rizal before he was executed.
“I declare myself a Catholic and in this
religion in which I was born and educated
I wish to live and die. I retract with all my

Spanish heart whatever in my words, writings,

English
publications and conduct has been
contrary to my character as son of the
Catholic Church”. The said letter is
entitled “The Retraction”

CRITERIA
Writing Style ------------------------ 15%
Content ------------------------ 25%
Organization ------------------------ 15%
 Clarity ------------------------ 25%
Grammar and Spellings ------------------------ 15%
Effort ------------------------ 5%
Total ------------------------- 100%

Evaluation:
Essay.
Based on the topics learned, you will write an essay regarding social issues that affects the
shape of society and culture.

Scoring Rubrics for Essay

Category Exemplary Superior Satisfactory Unsatisfactor

y
Knowledge/ Demonstrates Demonstrate Demonstrate Demonstrates
Comprehensio thorough s s limited
n 25% understanding considerable understandin understanding
of topic. understandin g of topic
g of the topic
of the topic.
Content 25% Response Response Response Response is
indicates depth indicates lacks focus unclear,
& complexity of simplistic or or illogical or
thought in answering repetitive demonstrates incoherent.
the essay. thoughts in confused or
answering conflicting
the essay thinking.
question.
Quality of Response was Response Response Response had
Writing written in an was written had a little no style or
25% extraordinary style in an style or voice voice.
& voice. interesting
style.
Gives some
Very information & Somewhat new Gives no new
well organized. informative information information &
& organized. but poorly very poorly
organized. organized.
Grammar, Almost no spelling, Few spelling A number of So many
Punctuation & punctuation or & spelling, spelling,
Spelling grammatical errors. punctuation punctuation punctuation &
25% errors, minor or grammatical
grammatical grammatical errors that it
errors. errors. interferes with
the meaning.
Sub Totals
100%
Over-all-
Score
100%

Recommended learning materials and resources for supplementary reading.

Analysis Rizal's Retraction. Retrieved from http://www.joserizal.ph/rt03.html
Camacho. 2013. Retraction controversy. Retrieved from
http://joseprotasiorizal.blogspot.com/2013/09/retraction-controversy.html#
Coates, A. (1992).Rizal-Filipino Nationalist & Patriot. Solidaridad Publishing.
Garcia, R. (1964). The Great Debate: The Rizal Retraction. R.P Garcia Publishing
GMA News Online.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/artandculture/594027/retraction-ni-rizal-mga-
bagong-dokumento-at-pananaw/story/ Retrieved 18 October 2017.
Guerero, L. (2007). The First Filipino. Manila. Guerrero Publishing.
Kalaw, T. (1956). Philippine Masonry: Its Origin, Development and Vicissitudes Up to
Present. McCullough.
Nidoy. (2013). Jose Rizal’s retraction: the controversy. Retrieved from
http://primacyofreason.blogspot.com/2013/06/jose-rizals-retraction-controversy.html

Flexible Teaching Learning Modality (FTLM) adopted:

Asynchronous and Synchronous

For the performance based, task, a meeting thru Zoom will be conducted specially to
debate activities. For creative outputs which also includes performance (i.e. fliptop and film
striping), upload them on YouTube or Facebook and provide the link to your subject
professor for grading.

Assessment Task
Make a position paper about Rizal’s retraction. Defend as to which among the sides
has the most plausible arguments.

References:
Chua, M. C. ,2016. “Retraction ni Jose Rizal: Mga Bagong Dokumento at Pananaw.”
Tamayao, Antonio,2018. Readings in the Philippne History.
Torres, Jose Victor,2018. BATIS: Sources in Philippine History. C&E Publishing, Inc.
Module 8 (1.5 hours)
Title: Cry of Balintawak or Pugadlawin
Introduction:
The “First Cry of Revolution” became the movement of the Filipinos to fight back on
the tyrannical rule of the Spanish regime; it is also called as the “First Cry”, the revolution of
independence. In this scenario the Filipinos tore their cedulas (tax receipt) and proclaimed the
start to fight for independence-the main goal. The news of the existence of Katipunan spread
throughout Manila and so, Andres Bonifacio, the Supreme leader of the Katipunan organized
a meeting outside the city particular in Balintawak to talk about their next movement for the
revolution against Spaniards. According to him, the start of the revolution will begin at the
end of month of August.
Thus, in this topic, it is surprising that, there are different versions of primary sources
where and when was the First Cry really happened. The eyewitnesses of the first-hand
information were Dr. Pio Valenzuela, Santiago Alvarez, Guillermo Masangkay and Gregoria
de Jesus.
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this topic, you are expected to:
1. identify the different accounts about First Cry of the Revolution;
3. scrutinize each source in the account of the start of the Revolution;
4. establish a point of view against a particular primary source; and
5. compare and contrast the different views regarding the First Cry of Revolution.
Learning Content:
Dr. Pio Valenzuela’s Account “Cry of Pugad Lawin’’
(August 23, 1896)

Dr. Pio Valenzuela has been authorized the ‘’Cry of Pugad Lawin, who happened to
eyewitness the event. He was also an official of the Katipunan and a friend of Andres
Bonifacio. There were two versions presented by him. In his first version, he told that the
prime staging point of the Cry was in Balintawak on Wednesday of August 26, 1896. He held
this account when the happenings or events are still vivid in his memory. On the other hand,
later in his life and with a fading memory, he wrote his Memoirs of the Revolution without
consulting the written documents of the Philippine revolution and claimed that the ‘’Cry’’
took place at Pugad Lawin on August 23, 1896.
Source: Zaide, Gregorio and Sonia Zaide. (1990). Documentary Sources of
Philippine History. Vol. 5. Manila: National Book Store
Torres Jose Victor. (2018). Batis : Sources in the Philippine History. C & E
Publishing, Inc.
The Account

The first place of refuge of Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, Procopio Bonifacio,
Teodoro Plata, Aguedo del Rosario, and myself was Balintawak, the first five arriving there
on August 19, and I, on August 20, 1896. The first place where some 500 members of the
Katipunan met on August 22, 1896 was the house and yard of Apolonio Samson at
Kangkong. Aside from the persons mentioned above, among those who were there were
BriccioPantas, Alejandro Santiago, Ramon Bernardo, Apolonio Samson, and others. Here,
views were only exchanged and no resolution was debated or adopted. It was at PugadLawin,
in the house, store- house and yard of Juan Ramos, son of Melchora Aquino, where over
1,000 members of the Katipunan met and carried out considerable debate and discussion on
August 29, 1896. Only one man protested and fought against a war and that was Teodoro
Plata. Besides the persons named above, among those present at this meeting were Enrique
Cipriano, Alfonso Pacheco, Tomas Remigio, Sinforoso San Pedro, and others. After the
tumultuous meeting many of those present tore their cedula certificates and shouted “ Long
live the Philippines! Long live the Philippines!’’
Santiago Alvarez’s Account “The Cry of Bahay Toro” (August 24, 1896)

This version of the “Cry’’ was written by Santiago Alvarez, a well-known Katipunero
from Cavite and a son of Mariano Alvarez. Santiago is a relative of Gregoria de Jesus, who
happened to be the wife of Andres Bonifacio. Unlike the author of the first version mentioned
(Valenzuela), Santiago Alvarez is not an eyewitness of this event. As a result, this version of
him is not given of equal value as compared with the other versions for authors of other
accounts are actually part of the historic event.
Source: Zaide, Gregorio and Sonia Zaide. (1990). Documentary Sources of
Philippine History. Vol. 5. Manila: National Book Store

The Account

We started our trek to Kangkong at about eleven that night. We walked through the
rain over dark expanses of muddy meadows and fields. Our clothes drenched and our bodies
numbed by the cold wind, we plodded wordlessly. It was nearly two in the morning when we
reached the house of Brother Apolonio Samson in Kangkong. We crowded into the house to
rest and warm ourselves. We were so tired that, after hanging our clothes out to dry, we soon
asleep…
The Supremo began assigning guards at five o’ clock the following morning, Saturday
22 August 1896. He placed a detachment at the Balintawak boundary and another at the
backyard to the north of the house where we were gathered….
No less than three hundred men assembled at the bidding of the Supremo Andres
Bonifacio. Altogether, they carried assorted weapons, bolos, spears, daggers, a dozen small
revolvers and a rifle used by its owner, one Lieutenant Manuel, for hunting birds. The
Supremo Bonifacio was restless because of fear of a sudden attack by the enemy. He was
worried over the thought that any of the couriers carrying the letter sent by Emilio Jacinto
could have been intercepted; and in that eventuality, the enemy would surely know their
whereabouts and attack them on the sly. He decided that it was better to move to a site called
Bahay Toro.
At ten o’ clock that Sunday morning, 23 August 1896, we arrived at Bahay Toro. Our
number had grown to more than 500 and the house, yard, and warehouse of
CabesangMelchora was crowded with us Katipuneros. The generous hospitality of
CabeasngMelchora was no less than that of Apolonio Samson. Like him, she also opened her
granary and he had plenty of rice pounded and animals slaughtered to feed us….
 The following day, Monday, 24 August, more Katipuneros came and increased our
number to more than a thousand. The Supremo called a meeting at ten o ‘ clock that morning
inside CabesangMelchora’s barn. Flanking him on both sides at the head of the table were Dr.
Pio Valenzuela, Emilio Jacinto, BriccioPantas, Enrique Pacheco, Ramon Bernardo, Pantaleon
Torres, Francesco Carreon, Vicente Fernandez, Teodoro Plata, and others. We were so
crowded that some stood outside the barn.
The following matters were approved at the meeting:

1. An uprising to defend the people’s freedom was to be started at midnight of Saturday, 29

August 1896….
2. To be on a state of alert so that the Katipunan forces could strike should the situation arise
where the enemy was at a disadvantage. Thus, the uprising could be started earlier than the
agreed time of midnight 29 August 1896 should a favorable opportunity arise at that date.
Everyone should steel himself and be resolute in the struggle that was imminent….
3. The immediate objective was the capture of Manila….
After the adjournment of the meeting at twelve noon, there were tumultuous shouts of ‘’
Long live the Sons of the People!’’

Guillermo Masangkay’s Account ‘’ The Cry of Balintawak’’ (August 26, 1896)

In 1932, Guillermo Masangkay, a friend and fellow Katipunero of Andres Bonifacio,

recounted his experiences as a member of the revolutionary movement. In an interview with
the Sunday Tribune magazine, Masangkay said that the First Cry happened in Balintawak on
August 26, 1896. In the first decade of American rule, it was his account that was used by the
government and civic officials to fix date and place of the First Cry which was capped with
the erection of the ‘’Monument to the Heroes of 1896’’ in that place.
However, in an interview published in the newspaper Bagong Buhayon August 26,
1957, Masangkay changed his narrative stating that the revolution began on August 23, 1896,
similar to the assertion of Dr. Pio Valenzuela. But Masangkay’s date was later changed again
when his granddaughter, Soledad Buehler- Borromeo, cited sources, including the
Masangkay papers, that the original date was August 26.
Source:Torres Jose Victor. (2018). Batis: Sources in the Philippine History. C & E
Publishing, Inc.

The Account
On August 26, a big meeting was held in Balintawak, at the house of Apolonio
Samson, then the cabeza of that barrio of Caloocan. Among those who attended, I remember,
were Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, Aguedo del Rosario, Tomas Remigio, BriccioPantas,
Teodoro Plata, Pio Valenzuela, Enrique Pacheco, and Francesco Carreon. They were all
leaders of the Katipunan and composed the board of directors of the organization. Delegates
from Bulacan, Cabanatuan, Cavite, and Morong (now Rizal) were also present.
At about nine o’ clock in the morning of August 26, the meeting was opened with
Andres Bonifacio presiding and Emilio Jacinto acting as secretary. The purpose was to
discuss when the uprising was to take place. Teodoro Plata, Briccio Pantas, and Pio
Valenzuela were all opposed to starting the revolution too early. They reasoned that the
people would be in distress if the revolution were started without adequate preparation. Plata
was very forceful in his argument, stating that the uprising could not very well be started
without arms and food for the soldiers. Valenzuela used Rizal’s argument about the rich not
siding with the Katipunan organization.
Andres Bonifacio, sensing that he would lose in the discussion then left the session
hall and talked to the people who were waiting outside for the result of the meeting of the
leaders. He told the people that the leaders were arguing against starting the revolution early,
and appealed to them in a fiery speech in which he said: ‘’ You remember the fate of our
countrymen who were shot in Bagumbayan. Should we return now to the towns, the
Spaniards will only shoot us. Our organization has been discovered and we are all marked
men. If we don’t start the uprising, the Spaniards will get us anyway. What then, do you
say?’’
“Revolt,’’ the people shouted as one.
Bonifacio then asked the people to give a pledge that they were to revolt. He told that
the sign of slavery of the Filipinos were (sic) the cedula tax charged each citizen. ‘’ If it is
true that you are ready to revolt, ‘’ Bonifacio said, ‘’I want to see you destroyed your cedulas.
It will be the sign that all of us have declared our severance from the Spaniards.’’
With tears in their eyes, the people, as one man, pulled out their cedulas and tore them
to pieces. It was the beginning of the formal declaration of the separation from Spanish
rule….
When the people’s pledge was obtained by Bonifacio, he returned to the session hall
and informed the leaders of what took place outside. ‘’ The people want to revolt, and they
destroyed their cedulas, ‘’ Bonifacio said, ‘’ So now we have to start the uprising, otherwise
the people by hundreds will be shot.” There was no alternative. The board of directors, in
spite of the protest of Plata, Pantas, Valenzuela, voted for the revolution. And when this was
decided, the people outside shouted, “Long live the Philippine Republic.”
Gregoria de Jesus’ The First “ Cry” (August 25, 1896)

This version was written by no other than the “ Lakambini of the Katipunan” and wife
Andres Bonifacio, Gregoria de Jesus. She has been a participant of this event and became the
keeper of the secret documents of the Katipunan. After the revolution in August 1896, she
lived with her parents in Caloocan then fled to Manila when she was told that the Spanish
authorities wanted to arrest her. Eventually, she joined her husband in the mountains and
shared adversities with him. In her account, the First “Cry” happened near Caloocan on
August 25, 1896.
Source: Zaide, Gregorio and Sonia Zaide. (1990). Documentary Sources of
Philippine History. Vol. 5. Manila: National Book Store
The Account
“The activities of the Katipunan had reached nearly all corners of the Philippine
Archipelago, so that when its existence was discovered and some of the members arrested,
we immediately returned to Caloocan. However, as we were closely watched by the agents of
the Spanish authorities, Andres Bonifacio and other Katipuneros left the town after some
days. It was then that the uprising began, with the first cry for freedom on August 25, 1896.
Meanwhile, I was with my parents. Through my friends, I learned that Spanish were coming
to arrest me. Immediately, I fled town at eleven o’ clock at night, secretly going through the
rice fields to La Lorna, with the intention of returning to Manila. I was treated like an
apparition, for, sad to say, in every house where I tried to get a little rest, I was driven away
as if people therein were frightened for their own lives. Later, I found out that the occupants
of the houses which I had visited were seized and severely punished – and some even exiled.
One of them was an uncle of mine whom I had visited on that night to kiss his hands, and he
died in exile.’’

Teaching and Learning Activities:

Process Questions
1. Who were the sources of the different accounts? How they became an eyewitness of first-
hand information?
2. Is there a significant difference of the four accounts? And Why?
3. How these different accounts help you to understand the urge of the Filipinos to fight for
their independence?

Activity 1: COMPARE and CONTRAST

In this activity, you are going to compare and contrast the different accounts using
Venn diagram.
Activity 2: Reflection Paper
You will write a reflection paper about the accounts.

WRITE IT DOWN…

Scoring Rubrics for Reflections

Category Exemplary Superior Satisfactory Unsatisfactory

Depth Response Response Response Response
demonstrates an demonstrates a demonstrates a demonstrates a
in-depth general reflection minimal lack of reflection
reflection on the on the concepts. reflection on the on the concepts/
concepts. Viewpoints and concepts. Viewpoints and
Viewpoints and interpretations are Viewpoints and interpretations are
interpretations are supported. interpretations are missing,
insightful and unsupported or inappropriate
well supported. supported with and/or
flawed unsupported.
arguments.
Structure Writing is clear, Writing is mostly Writing is unclear Writing is unclear
concise, and well clear, concise, and and/or and disorganized.
organized with well organized disorganized. Thoughts ramble
excellent sentence with good Thoughts are not and make little
and paragraph sentence/paragraph expressed in a sense.
construction. construction. logical manner.
 Thoughts are Thoughts are
fully expressed in expressed in a
coherent and coherent and
logical manner. logical manner.
Quality of Response was Response was Response had a Response had no
Writing written in an written in an little style or style or voice.
extraordinary interesting style. voice.
style and voice.

Very Informative Somewhat Gives some new Gives no new

and well informative and information but information and
organized. organized. poorly organized. very poorly
organized.
Grammar, Almost no Few spelling and A number of So many spelling,
Punctuation and spelling, punctuations errors spelling, punctuation and
Spelling punctuation or and minor punctuation or grammatical
grammatical grammatical grammatical errors that
errors. errors. errors. interferes with the
meaning.
Sub Totals
Over-all-Score

Recommended learning materials and resources for supplementary reading.

Memoirs of the Katipunan
“Xiao Time: Ang Unang Sigaw ng Himagsikan sa Balintawak
Flexible Teaching Learning Modality (FTLM) adopted Asynchronous and Synchronous

Assessment Task:

Given a concise explanation on the following items:

1. What does the issue on the First Cry depict about the Filipinos?
2. How does the account of Santiago Alvarez differ from all other versions?
3. Which account do you believe? Why?
4. How reliable is the version of Guillermo Masangkay regarding this issue?
5. What makes Pio Valenzuela’s Cry of Pugadlawin a controversy?

References:
Candelaria,et’al. 2018. First Edition. Readings in Philippine History. Rex Bookstore.
Torres Jose Victor. 2018. BATIS: Sources in the Philippine History. C & E Publishing, Inc.
Zaide, Gregorio and Sonia Zaide. Documentary Sources of Philippine History. Vol. 5.
Manila: National Book Store